AN: This whole concept really scares me, so please be kind. Thanks.
The fan rotated between Riley and her best friend, Maya. They watched their world from Riley's porch, in their sleepy, upstate New York town. The sweltering heat meshed with the smells of grills burning hot dogs. Riley wanted something to happen but that wish was kind of ridiculous. Things were happening all the time. She would be 17 soon. Her mother, Topanga but most call her "Toppie", just opened a new, inherited restaurant with her nick-namesake. The country of Germany was splashed all over the papers lately but Riley could barely understand anything they wrote. Somehow it seemed things were never slowing down but yet, everything stayed the same.
The girls were listening to the radio and waiting for their perms to settle in. Maya's hair always looked so lovely afterwards, her blonde waves emulating Rita Hayworth. Meanwhile, Riley's little brother Auggie said that she could easily be confused for a poodle. She held her best friend's dainty toes in her lap, giving them red paint.
"Maya, if you don't quit that bopping you'll have a red foot by the time I'm through!" Riley warned her.
"I can't help it! I love this song!" She leans over and turns up the music. Benny Goodman's band played and Maya wiggled along, "Ain't the drums just a kick?!"
"Great! Now you have a toe that looks like a cherry!" As Riley was whining, Maya pulled her to her feet to join her. They practiced their jitterbug to the swing. The blonde's skirt flew in a circle as her best friend spun her around.
"Oh, how I wish Lucas would take me dancing this summer," Maya says, still moving her feet to the frenetic beat.
"What's stoppin' him?"
"You kiddin'? Lucas Friar wouldn't be caught with a fork in his eye at one of these things! Besides, he's got two left feet!"
"Well, you got two red feet, so I suppose it makes no difference if he steps on em' anyhow!" Riley quips, now moving more relaxed.
"Hah!"
They continued to imitate the dance scenes they would see in the films, until the music stopped. Riley's mother gave them a smile, "Maya, it's time for you to go on home. Riley's got to come inside."
"Aw, ma! It's not even dark!" Riley protests.
"Oh, it's all right, Riles. I gotta wash this stuff out before my head burns away! I'll phone you later tonight!" Maya grabbed her sandals. "Goodnight, Mrs. Matthews!" Like a shot, she ran barefoot down the street to her place, two houses down.
Riley made an annoyed look at her mother before asking, "What was all that for?"
"Your father and I want to talk to you about something. Now, go inside and wash that perm out. It's starting to stink."
Riley went inside to their modest home and Topanga followed. Riley washed her hair in the sink and wrapped it in a beehive with a purple scarf, letting her shaggy wet bangs cool her forehead. In the dining room, she was the last to arrive. Her mother, father and brother sat in front of the steaming supper.
"Took you long enough, poodle!" Auggie teases. She sticks her tongue out him and he does the same.
"Enough of that. Now everyone hold hands for grace." Topanga orders. After thanking God for their meal, their health and each other, the Matthews' proceeded with dinner.
"I'd like to talk to you kids about something very important." Their father, Cory said in a serious tone.
."Are we getting a television set, pop?!" Auggie gasps.
"Oh, honestly, daddy! We're the only family in New York who doesn't have one. It's embarrassing!"
Cory makes a smirk at his wife and children before answering, "No television."
Auggie groans disappointed and Riley tosses her food, muttering, "How typical."
"Watch it, young lady." Her mother scolded.
"Riley, Auggie, I... I have tried my whole life as your father to protect you. To keep you safe from things that I didn't want you to know about and give you a childhood but... "
Seeing her husband struggle, Topanga finished, "But you're not babies anymore."
"...No, you're not." Cory took his wife's hand. "Now that you're growing up, I want you understand that the world has a lot to teach and a lot of times the lessons are hard to learn but once you've been taught, you'll never forget. It's time for me to introduce you to the world."
"Pop, you're kinda spooking me out." Auggie says.
"Me too. What's going on?" Riley asks.
"OK, uh, let me ask this: what have you two heard about Germany?" Cory quizzes, taking off his round reading glasses. It was always easier for him to explain things as a teacher.
"It's where the 'juice' is from, right?!" 10 year old Auggie brightly spoke.
"'Juice'? Could you be anymore juvenile?" Riley rolled her eyes.
"That's what they said on the radio!"
"Auggie, the people on the radio called them 'Jews,'" Cory corrected. "They're Jewish people. But, they're not just from Germany; many of them come from all over Europe. Right now, over there is a man in power who uses fear and manipulation to turn the masses and the government against them."
"So, it's like how black people are treated." Riley says.
"Yes. Millions of them are being stripped from their homes and put in these camps where terrible, terrible things happen to them."
"Like what?" Auggie asked.
"Oh, c'mon! Whaddya' think?" Riley then slit her own throat with her finger and played dead in her chair.
"Riley!" Topanga gave her another warning.
"Pop?!" Auggie turned bug-eyed at his father. Cory sadly nods.
"It's true, Auggie. Men, women and children."
"And they didn't do nothin'?!"
Cory shook his head, "No. Their only crime was being Jewish."
"Well, what's the matter with being Jewish anyway?"
"That's interesting, isn't it, son?"
"Can't they run away somewhere?"
"Well, many of them are migrating to America, where they have a better chance at life. In fact... tomorrow, two of them are moving in with us." Cory announced, before taking a long sip of water.
"Excuse me?" Riley was taken aback.
"Really?! We're gonna save the Jews?!"
Cory made a lopsided grin, "We're certainly going to help try, Auggie."
"Well, how many are we taking in?" His eldest was less enthused. "The house is crowded enough!"
"Their names are Stuart and Farkle Minkus. A father and son. Stuart was a university Professor and Farkle's about your age. He's going to stay in the attic and Mr. Minkus will stay in the basement."
"How long are they staying?"
"As long as they need."
"So, we're just going to take in these two strange men for nothing? What if they kill us? What if they rob us? What if they kill and rob us?" Riley interrogated with her arms crossed.
"I'll lasso 'em up and take care of them with good ol' quicksilver!" Auggie brought out his toy gun and pointed it before his mother took it away. There were no toys at the dinner table.
Riley ignored her little brother defending her honor, unable to control her own agitation, "You know nothing about these people, except that they're Jewish. They could still be bad people, daddy, couldn't they? Couldn't they hurt us?"
"Riley-"
"And what about the town?!" Riley was now standing. "People don't like Jews in Germany and some New Yorkers don't like them either! What do you think they'll do to us if they hear you're harboring the enemy! We'll be the enemy too! Did you think about what could happen to us and our safety?! Did you think about us at all?!"
"Riley, I have had it with your attitude!" Mount Topanga had erupted, meeting her daughter's eyes.
"It's the truth and you know it!"
"Go to your room! Now!" Riley was stomping up the stairs when she yelled, "And you don't you dare call Maya!"
Auggie winced as she slammed her bedroom door. Then, he carefully asked, "...Can I have her ice cream?"
A little later, after dessert and listening to the radio programs, Topanga was cleaning the dishes and Cory was still sitting at the table, thinking. Topanga's wet arms wrapped around his shoulders and she leaned on him.
"She was sorta right, wasn't she?" Cory sighed, leaning back into her touch. "What if somebody tries to hurt one of you because of this? It'll be my fault. I didn't think this through."
Topanga sat next to him with a smile, "You hardly think anything through, darling." He huffed a laugh. "Cory if, again if, someone does try to harm us in any way, it won't be because of you. It'll be because they don't have enough sense or strength to be like you. You have one of the biggest, kindest hearts of anyone I know. That's why I love you."
"I love you too, Toppie." They shared an embrace and a kiss.
The next morning, 3/4′s of the Matthews' family stood outside of their two-story house, practicing to be picture perfect. First, Topanga had Riley wash, dry and beat the dust from their guests' new sheets. Then, the kids were forced into their Sunday best. Riley was fidgeting with the yellow dress that she thought made her look like meringue pie. Auggie had it a bit worse. His church slacks always itched and rode into his crotch. They all stood like statues, posing with big smiles.
Finally, the emerald green family Buick rolled up, near the curb. Topanga held Riley and Auggie's shoulders tightly, aligning their backs to be straighter. She said in Riley's ear, "Riley, you'd better be smiling." She was the only woman in the world who could have a threatening yet sweet tone in equal measure.
Being her daughter, Riley gave it right back, "Mother, if I was smiling any harder, I'd be stuck like this forever."
Collectively, they all held their breath as Cory exited their car and opened the door for the men from Germany to appear, like they were movie stars at a premiere. One leg stepped out and a man with a wide brimmed fedora looked at them, squinting at the family like they were far away. He came right up to them, absolutely beaming and began shaking their hands with both of his. Suddenly, he saw the two others at the trunk grabbing suitcases and ran back to help.
This time around, the happy man helped carry the luggage to the house, behind Cory. Mr. Matthews was speaking in German to the other one, who wore glasses like him. His demeanor was much more calm. He carried a suitcase and an optical telescope under his arm. Cory grinned winningly at his nervous family, then at his nervous guests, trying to make everyone more comfortable.
"You all, this is Stuart," his hand went on the back of the eager and older one with the hat. Once again, he shook all their hands and their whole bodies experienced an earthquake. Stuart looked back to Cory and tearfully said something Topanga, Riley and Auggie couldn't catch. "He's really, really grateful for us. And, this is his son, Farkle."
The younger boy stepped forward awkwardly, putting down his suitcase. He opened his mouth and Topanga stared at him expectantly, until he uttered, "Hell-o, Top-ee." His accent was thick but it was clear as day.
Pleasantly surprised, Topanga greeted him, "Hello! Welcome!"
"Hello, Aug-gust."
The little boy scowled hearing his full name but said, "Hello."
Lastly, his sapphire eyes landed on Riley. He didn't look like a thief or a killer. Actually, he was sort of handsome but a girl shouldn't be thinking that way when she is already seeing someone. Maybe, it was just because he was tall. Or the soft way he smiled at her.
But it was not - definitely not - the way he said, "Hello, sweet Riley." Topanga's eyebrows knotted at Cory and he quickly whispered, "I may have misinterpreted something."
Riley tore her eyes away as she she turned red, "H-hello."
"Sweet?" Auggie was truly confused that anyone could call Riley 'sweet'. She pinched him.
Topanga gave them a tour of their simple home and Cory translated. Riley and Auggie stood and smiled in each place, as if that's what they naturally do there. They let Stuart get settled into their basement/bomb shelter and Farkle was getting accustomed to the attic. The attic was down the hall from Riley's room. Sometimes, on her way down the stairs, if he had the door cracked she'd peak inside. Farkle would usually be reading, or eating, or singing some song from this book. Maybe it was in German, maybe not. But the worst part was that she had to help teach him English. At night, after the radio was turned off, Riley sat down with him for an hour, going through the alphabet and spelling simple words. It was as if she was apart of this kindergarten summer school.
When Maya came over, Riley griped to her about it. The blonde shrugged, "You wanted something to happen, didn't you?"
"Something amazing, not annoying! I have to sacrifice my entire summer for these strangers! It isn't fair! It isn't-"
Riley hushed her grievances when Farkle entered the kitchen, making himself a glass of water. He approached them, grinning humbly to Riley first, "Hello, sweet Riley."
"Hi." She rolled her eyes but couldn't help herself from blushing.
Staring into his face, Maya grabbed his attention, "Hi there!"
"Hello." He shook her hand.
"Maya." She enunciated, using her whole heart shaped mouth.
"My-yah." He repeated.
"Yes!" She giggled. Riley rolled her eyes even harder. Farkle took himself to bed, bidding the girls goodnight. Watching him walk away, Maya said, "Well, Riles, I'll tell you what: that's a sacrifice I'd be willing to make anytime. He's gonna be in your grade?" She nods. "Gosh, if only my mother put me in school a year early..."
"You shouldn't be saying things like that, Maya. You have Lucas! What if he overheard that junk? He'd be awful mad!"
"Oh, you talk like I can't handle Lucas Friar! Besides, you tellin' me that you didn't notice that he's just a little, eensy, weensy bit cute?" Maya made an centimeter with her fingers.
"No, I have not because I have a respectable beau named Charlie Gardner." Primly, Riley's nose lifted to the air.
"Charlie Gardner," she mimics. "He's in the Hamptons, honey."
"And next week, for the fireworks, I will be too."
"Oh, rapture." Maya said sarcastically.
On the fourth of July, the Matthews' family participated in the neighborhood block party and it was their first opportunity to introduce the Minkus' to everyone. Taking his daughter's words to heart, Cory explained that only limited information should be given. Tell people that they are tenants and they don't speak much English. Their last names should be concealed or if it's pressed, lie about it. A few people made perplexed looks and made tasteless jokes toward them, knowing the immigrants wouldn't understand.
Professor Minkus and his son seemed like they were having an all right time. Cory tried to stay as close as possible to them and Topanga could distract anyone getting suspicious. At least Auggie got some fun out of it, making up the silliest surnames possible. Riley was hanging around Maya and Lucas as they were teasing each other with sparklers. She counted the seconds until she'd be with Charlie, on his family's boat, stealing kisses underneath the fireworks. Eventually, the party died down until it was just the three of them sitting on the porch, waiting to sneak away in Lucas' convertible.
When the coast was clear, Riley went back inside to grab her sweater in case she got a little chilly. She was creeping out the door and then she heard Topanga call her name, "Riley!"
Defeated, she groaned and pantomimed to her friends, begging them to wait. She cautiously went to her mother who had her hands on her hips. She barely noticed Farkle, sitting patiently on their couch.
"Yes, mother?"
"Where are you going?"
"A bunch of us are going to the Hamptons. The Gardners are having a party there. I told you this, remember?" She reminded her.
"That was before our guests came, Riley. Your father and I have told you that we need help tutoring Farkle, so he can join you in school this fall. In order to do that, he has to constantly be studying. In the morning was my shift, the afternoon was your father and Auggie, and now it's your turn."
"But, mother, I asked you about this months ago! You can't just do this to me!"
"I'm sorry, Riley. You have all summer to hang out with your friends. This is more important. Farkle's education is more important." Topanga said, firm.
"Why am I responsible for that?! No one asked me, you know?! No one ever asked me if I wanted him to stay here!"
"Young lady-"
"If..." Farkle's meager voice cut through their voices, quiet yet powerful. They looked at him in shock. He's never held a conversation with either of them, except for hello, goodnight, yes, no and thank you. Still, he soldiered on, "If sweet Riley wants to go, let her go." He stood between them and held Mrs. Matthews' arm. "If sweet Riley wants to go, let her go. It is... all right, Mrs. Matthews."
The two women looked at each other with amazement, "Farkle, that was wonderful! Your English was wonderful just now!" Topanga praised and Riley nodded smiling.
"In Germany... I," Farkle emphasized by pointed at himself, "was a ... good student? Learn fast."
"Well, we see that! Don't we, Riley?"
"Yes... yes." Riley was still at a loss for words. He never talked to her, so she couldn't tell what he was picking up. So, possibly Farkle understood her just say that she didn't want him there. Guilt dropped on her like an anvil. "Hold on," Riley went outside to her friends and told them she couldn't come but she didn't say why. Lucas and Maya tried to coax her but Riley told them to send Charlie her apologies and love.
In the kitchen, she saw Farkle sitting next to her mother, writing with major concentration. She sat in the chair near him, scrunching her eyes to see the words he wrote.
She read, "I am Farkle Minkus." Riley grinned at him, whispering, "Good."
AN: I know that it's irresponsible for me to start another story when I have already established fics. I make no commitment to finish this story or continue. That's not to say I don't have ideas because I do but considering my workload in life and as far as stories goes, if it happens, then it'll happen. Like, I said, this concept scares me. I just had to get it out of my head. Anyway, if you enjoy what you read, please review. Thank you.
